What I Learned About Parenting in 2024: Lessons from the Trenches
Introduction:
Parenting isn’t for the faint of heart, and this year proved it yet again. From unexpected meltdowns in the middle of Target to figuring out new ways to say, “No, you can’t eat cookies for breakfast,” this year has been one big learning curve. If you’re anything like me, you’ve had moments of triumph, moments of “What am I even doing?” and plenty of moments in between. So, let’s dive into what [Year] taught me about this wild, wonderful, and sometimes wacky journey of parenting.
1. You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup—But You Can Pour from a Half-Full One
Let’s talk about self-care. This year taught me that I don’t need to spend a weekend at a spa (though wouldn’t that be nice?) to recharge.
Sometimes self-care looks like sitting in the car for five extra minutes after dropping my kids off at work, sipping lukewarm coffee in peace.
Other times, it’s saying no to an event that sounds exhausting or getting in a hot bath after the kids go to bed.
The big lesson? Taking care of myself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Even a half-full cup can go a long way when you’re pouring into the people you love.
2. Lower Expectations, Raise Your Sanity
Oh, the plans I had for this year! Picture-perfect holiday photos, peaceful road trips, and Pinterest-worthy family meals. Spoiler: None of those things happened.
I learned that kids are beautifully unpredictable. Plan a magical day at the zoo? Someone will have a meltdown in the parking lot.
What I discovered is that letting go of perfection and embracing “good enough” made everyone—including me—a lot happier.
Parenting isn’t about picture-perfect moments; it’s about being present, even when things don’t go as planned.
3. Saying “I Don’t Know” Is Totally Okay
This year brought its fair share of tough questions—from “Why is the sky blue?” to “Why do bad things happen?” (Thanks, kids.)
I realized that it’s okay not to have all the answers. Saying, “I don’t know, but let’s figure it out together” can be a powerful teaching moment.
It showed my kids that learning is a lifelong process and that it’s okay to ask hard questions.
The big takeaway? Parenting isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about walking alongside your kids as they search for them.
4. Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine
This year was full of moments where I had two choices: cry or laugh. I chose laughter (most of the time).
When my toddler dumped flour all over the kitchen floor or my preteen rolled their eyes so hard I thought they might pull a muscle, I learned to find the humor.
Laughter didn’t fix the mess or the attitude, but it sure made those moments easier to navigate.
Parenting is messy—literally and figuratively. Learning to laugh through the chaos made this year a little lighter.
5. God’s Grace Is Bigger Than My Mistakes
This might be the most important lesson of all. There were days this year when I felt like I was failing—when I snapped at my kids, forgot an important event, or just felt too tired to be the mom I wanted to be.
But in those moments, I was reminded of God’s unending grace. He doesn’t expect me to be perfect—He just calls me to love my family and trust Him with the rest.
Knowing that His grace fills in the gaps gave me the strength to keep going, even on my hardest days.
The truth? God’s grace is always enough, for me and for my kids.
Conclusion:
Parenting in 2024 was a wild ride. It stretched me, taught me, and made me laugh more than I ever thought possible. Sure, I didn’t get everything right, but that’s okay. What matters most is that I showed up with love, determination, and (occasionally) a sense of humor.
As we look ahead to 2025, I’m carrying these lessons with me and reminding myself that no matter how messy or unpredictable parenting gets, God’s grace and love are always at the center. So here’s to another year of growth, laughter, and maybe a little more coffee. You’ve got this, mama! 💜